so i made a 10 gal batch of cream ale. i fermented in 2 buckets, each with 5.5 gal of wort and 1 hydrated pack of us-05. the clip is of the to carboys on the second day-no activity on the left and lots on the right. they each had identical krausens (about an inch from the top) but the airlock on the left never bubbled....could have been a leak, the airlock not working, who knows. after 14 days in the primary they were both at 1009 FG. just goes to show, if there is no activity in the airlock its not always a problem.
[URL=http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j120/eagleface/?action=view&current=0503091505.flv[/URL]

Unless you had a buttload of headspace in the pale on the left, I would think that would mean you have a leak somewhere, the co2 has to go somewhere. Not a big deal if you only do primaries but may wanna look into it if you ever use it as a secondary for anything.

Unless you had a buttload of headspace in the pale on the left, I would think that would mean you have a leak somewhere, the co2 has to go somewhere. Not a big deal if you only do primaries but may wanna look into it if you ever use it as a secondary for anything.

no headroom, they both had 5.5 gal. i dont use buckets for secondaries-i have glass for that if i do it at all. i wasn't worried about it at all during fermentation, i was more posting this to show some of the more anxious beginners (i used to be) that its possible to have a leak and not to bug out when there is no airlock activity.

I almost NEVER get airlock activity of my primary bucket. I used to peak in after 4 days or so to make sure there's krausen. Now I just assume there will be a big old nasty ring when I take my first reading around day 21.

I had the exact same thing happen with two identical buckets. It turned out that the lid on one was minutely open. Just a little snap off being sealed, bt it appeared properly closed. Luckily, like you, I knew not to panic.

I had the exact same thing happen with two identical buckets. It turned out that the lid on one was minutely open. Just a little snap off being sealed, bt it appeared properly closed. Luckily, like you, I knew not to panic.

yesssir. i even kegged the batch that didnt bubble first just for the hell of it and its delicious